Monday, June 4, 2012

.....A bit of creativity during down-time. My friend Jan got me started on these paper buttons, which originally were from an instructional post by Kelli Nina Perkins. Check her post HERE for all the details.First off, it doesn't take much to entertain me or make me happy. Old book pages, glue sticks, anything to make a mess and I'm just a lucky-ducky.

The above photo shows beautiful fluid, glass-like buttons sent to me from Jan, and then my lazy take on things; paper punches, papers and the final glued and stacked paper I punched the shapes from on the right. (check the tutorial for this to make more sense...)

I wanted my outside layers to be chinese-character paper and some mathematical equations. So my inner package was three sheets (ha! three sheets in the wind more likely!) of heavy textbook paper, and then the choice sheets on each side. The punches *just* cut through all that.

So you can see how lovely Jan's free-cut buttons are...and the detail and luster. She also used UTEE where I used a store brand of heavy embossing powder and there is definitely a difference. UTEE is better. (♥LUV♥ these Jan!)

The tutorial said, I think, to use a skewer to put holes in, but I used this tiny punch that is normally used for marking my card stock glove patterns~~where to join points and seams.....well, everything around here gets more than a single job!

And here is the yield from a piece of glued papers 3 1/2" x 6" : a total of thirty 3/4" buttons and fourteen 1/2" buttons....all nice and, well, THE SAME.

I'm thinking my anal retentive side is showing through....

Moving on, when it came to COLORING, that got thrown to the wind!

I got out my Sharpies, Zigs and PrismaColor markers and cut loose! What fun! (and yes, both sides and the edges are colored) I did discover the front and back papers accepted marker differently, and while I used the same colors on both sides, they did not LOOK the same.

Older papers tend to absorb in an unpredictable fashion, and it was fun watching what happened.

BTW, this was a SLOW PROCESS, as I was doing a few at a time and the fumes were getting to me. I also went about with multi-colored fingers for a while....

Next was the embossing, of which there are NO PHOTOS because that was a mess and really, trying to hold the button on a bamboo skewer, the embossing gun AND the camera wasn't going to happen. I might also add, do not do this after having wine with dinner.

Embossing guns and wine are not a good mix......just warning. ;-)

The final product, for your comments:

Clear embossing powder, then while hot, edged with either gold, copper or silver, or a combination there of. Nice and shiny, fairly sturdy, happy Anne!

And while I very much LIKE mine, I still like Jan's better! I think everyone would have a different product, an individual outcome, and that's what is so nice about them.

I really recommend giving these a try when you just need something fun and to clear the mental palette before a big project. They all look so different when complete~~even the less-that-lovely ones become lovely with the rest.

But I have ideas for the next bunch I try.....things like, a flower shaped punch, coloring the paper package FIRST, crackle finish, etc etc etc.....

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comments:

Robin, they're probably even MORE FUN when you feel good and can see and breathe! LOL!!!I still like the shape of Jan's better but my hands would not play nice with the scissors, so the punches came in handy.

LOL!!!You NEED to make some because it is FUN!!! (just no wine and heat guns....baaaaaad combo....things get fried)I probably need to make another batch to send out as goodies; I really would like to try putting these together as a necklace of some sort.What sort, I'm not sure.I am *NOT* a jewelry maker by any means....

I like these Annie but going over to look at Jan's. I can see lots of uses for these. I do not have any paper punches. Had planned on getting some and just never remembered when in town.Thanks sistaQMM

Oooooo....I just linked to Jan's blog in general; I can't remember what her post was! Sorry! <:-\You can use scissors; I just have so much trouble with the fingers I use punches whenever possible. Heck, they could be cut in diamond shapes, or squares, or whatever!But they *are* a little addictive!

Actually, intact sphincter muscles is not a bad thing. So I need to dry out before attempting these? I love both yours and Jan's. I would like to order about 23,000, string them together vertically and make a curtain. When do you expect to ship? **happy smiles** Deb

WOWZA! These are so incredible....your mind (inhaling fumes or not) is true genius! I love them all...and I can ONLY imagine the time it took to create ONE....let alone all you have here!Love Deb's comment...are you going to ship her 23,000? A-ha-ha!

Love your comment on my blog....oh yes, you COULD be making costumes for Opera Companies around the World! I'll try for a photo of *Pope Leo* so you can see the entire robe on!

Raining....yes, raining here today....but must go out and do some marketing....my only *free day* this week.

Deb said I was *harsh*.....I'm thinking realistic! ;-DOh please, yes, I would LOVE a photo of the robe on to see the work~~amazing. What a treat to create like that!I'm off to the chaise; much better but still tired. Thinking hot tea and maybe a snooze might happen.

They are so fun to create, aren't they? Yours turned out fantastic, Anne! Each one unique. Who cares if you actually find a use for them, they are pretty enough and fun enough to just put in a bowl or something and gaze at. Now you've got me wanting to make more. Maybe I'll do a work shop with my S&B gang.

Wow Anne! That is a fun project. Now for sure I want to make some. In fact I have old music books that can be used for that. They look awesome. Well done Anne. Hope you are doing great. Have a wonderful week and thanks for the tutorial. I will make some. Yay.

Corrine, it's kind of funny, but my red markers went odd colors on the papers, and the hot pink worked better. On the backs of some of them, it looks more red....it's just that marker/paper thing!I can live with hot pink too...heeheehee!

I just *assume* others don't listen like *I* don't listen....but I did send a few buttons flying off the end of the skewers, and one that was gorgeous flew off never to be found...LOL!But still, that little embossing tool gets hot and fingernails can get singed....*AHEM*

Ooooh...paper...paint...a tool....What were you saying? LOL! I could spend hours and hours doing this. It looks very relaxing. Maybe you could string them together in a garland of some kind...or just keep punching more out. hahahaha! xox!

Oh Anne how fun and what a relaxing project. They are all so pretty. Like little toys. I am glad to see you creating and enjoying each moment. I have been a crummy blog visitor lately and need to catch up with what is going on with your little slice of Blogland. Take care and have a lovely weekend, Pam

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